LeBron James’ Historic Scoring Streak: From Beginning to End
LeBron James — often simply “LeBron” — has long been known not just for his superstar skillset, but for his consistency. That consistency manifested most memorably through a nearly two-decade long streak: scoring at least 10 points in every regular-season game. On December 4, 2025, that streak came to an end.
So how did this all begin? After a single-digit scoring outing on January 5, 2007, LeBron turned things around with a 19-point game the very next night — launching a streak of double-digit scoring games that would endure for 1,297 straight regular-season games.
That streak extended over 18 years. Along the way, it survived injuries, lineup changes, evolving roles, and the arrival of new stars on his teams — a feat that highlighted not just his scoring ability, but his durability, adaptability, and commitment.
The End of the Streak — What Happened on December 4, 2025
In a tightly contested game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors, LeBron scored just eight points — well below the 10-point threshold required to keep his streak alive.
Yet, in a moment that underscored his leadership and team-first mentality, LeBron didn’t push for the extra points. Instead, with the game on the line, he passed to his teammate Rui Hachimura — who knocked down a buzzer-beating three to win the game 123-120.
When asked about the streak ending, LeBron’s response was simple: “None. We won.” Clearly, for him, the win mattered more than personal stats.
This game also featured other notable performances: while LeBron struggled to reach double digits, teammates like Austin Reaves stepped up, underlining a shifting dynamic in the Lakers’ offense.
Why the Streak Ended — Context and Contributing Factors
Several factors converged to bring the streak to a close:
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Changing role and team dynamics: Over recent seasons, LeBron has ceded some of his scoring burden to rising teammates and evolving rosters. Younger players with fresh legs and different skill sets often take priority on offense.
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Physical toll & longevity: After nearly two decades at the top level, age and wear begin to accumulate. Maintaining peak performance night after night becomes increasingly challenging.
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Game situation & priorities: On December 4, 2025, the game was on the line. LeBron opted for the winning play rather than forcing a shot just to keep a personal streak alive — prioritizing team success over individual records.
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Evolution of playing style: As players age, many rely more on experience, playmaking, and leadership rather than sheer scoring. LeBron’s assist on the game-winning shot exemplified this evolution.
Given all this, many analysts and fans suggested the streak was as much a testament to longevity and adaptability as it was to scoring — and that its end, while historic, was perhaps inevitable.
The Significance of the Streak — Legacy, Records & Perspective
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NBA history: With 1,297 straight regular-season games with double-digit points, LeBron now holds the longest such streak in NBA history. The previous benchmark belonged to Michael Jordan, who had 866 in a row.
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Durability and consistency: The streak wasn’t just about scoring — it was about being present, night after night, season after season. Many NBA careers don’t even reach 1,297 games total, let alone all with 10+ points.
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Adaptability: Over the years, LeBron adapted to changing team compositions, new roles, and evolving playing styles. That adaptability helped him sustain elite-level performance for nearly two decades.
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Team-first reputation: The fact that the streak ended because he prioritized a winning assist over a personal stat line reinforces how LeBron values team success above individual milestones.
In short: the end of the streak doesn’t tarnish LeBron’s legacy — if anything, it underscores the completeness of it.
What’s Next — Looking Ahead Post-Streak
Now that the streak is over, several questions naturally arise:
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Will this change how LeBron approaches games? Perhaps — with less pressure to hit a certain point total, he might focus more on playmaking, leadership, and team success.
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Might this mark the beginning of a gradual decline in scoring productivity? Possibly — but LeBron has historically shown an ability to adapt (e.g. shifting to more passes, smarter offense, minimizing wear).
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Will any current or future player challenge this record? It seems unlikely. The combination of durability, skill, and consistency needed to match 1,297 double-digit games is extremely rare.
But one thing is clear: the streak’s end closes a historic chapter — and opens a new one.
FAQs
Q: When did LeBron’s double-digit scoring streak begin?
A: The streak started on January 6, 2007, a day after his last sub-10 point outing on January 5, 2007.
Q: How many consecutive games did the streak last?
A: The streak lasted 1,297 consecutive regular-season games.
Q: When did the streak end — and what were the circumstances?
A: The streak ended on December 4, 2025, during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors. LeBron scored just eight points, but instead of forcing a shot for personal stats, he assisted a game-winning buzzer-beater for teammates. The Lakers won 123-120.
Q: Was this the first time LeBron scored below 10 points since 2007?
A: Not exactly. The last time he had single-digit points in a regular-season game was on January 5, 2007. Since then, until December 4, 2025, he scored at least 10 points in every game he played.
Q: Does this end affect LeBron’s overall scoring record?
A: No — it affects only the consecutive double-digit games streak. LeBron remains one of the highest career point-scorers in NBA history.
Final Thoughts — The End of an Era, The Strength of a Legacy
The end of NBA history’s greatest double-digit scoring streak doesn’t diminish the greatness of LeBron James. Instead, it highlights something even more rare: sustained excellence, night after night, year after year.
In a league where injuries, form slumps, and roster changes derail many careers, LeBron’s streak stood as a towering testament to durability and consistency. And even as that chapter closes, what remains is a legacy — not just of scoring, but of leadership, resilience, and unselfishness.
His deciding to assist rather than chase one more point — to win rather than pad stats — perhaps sums up better than any number what kind of player and competitor he has always been.
